Global energy storage developer Eku Energy has broken ground at two new UK battery storage projects in Basildon, Essex and Loudwater, Buckinghamshire, together representing 130MWh of installed capacity. The projects will be built using NHOA Energy’s battery energy storage systems, marking the company’s entry into the UK market, and are expected to be operational by the end of 2024.
Start of construction at these two sites follows completion of full planning and permitting requirements and is an important milestone for Eku Energy as it continues to expand its global battery storage portfolio. The company now has 4.6GWh in development, construction and operation across the UK, Australia, Italy and Japan with the aim of delivering 9GWh by 2028.
Battery storage is a critical enabler of the global energy transition, helping to match electricity supply and demand and time-shift clean, dispatchable power. The UK has set a target to operate a zero carbon electricity system by 2035 and National Grid analysis suggests this will require in the region of 20-25GW[1] of energy storage, up from 3.5GW[2] today.
NHOA Energy (part of NHOA Group) designs and delivers turn-key energy storage systems and ranks among tier 1 suppliers according to BloombergNEF with over 1.6GWh of capacity online and under construction globally. As well as supplying the stand-alone battery energy storage systems for Basildon and Loudwater, NHOA Energy will also undertake a long-term service agreement with Eku Energy regarding the batteries’ operational maintenance.
Sandra Grauers Nilsson, CEO of Eku Energy commented:
?“Breaking ground at Basildon and Loudwater is a major milestone for Eku Energy as we work to support the UK’s decarbonisation goals and expand our global footprint. We have an ambitious pipeline of battery storage projects which we are developing at pace and scale, and we are delighted to have partnered with NHOA Energy to advance the energy transition.”
Lucie Kanius-Dujardin, NHOA Energy’s Executive Vice President - Global Markets & Development commented:
“We are proud to partner with Eku Energy for these important projects. Breaking ground at Basildon and Loudwater confirms NHOA Energy and Eku Energy’s shared mission to deliver reliable and sustainable energy solutions, contributing to the UK's ambitious zero-carbon targets. We strongly believe that battery storage systems are pivotal to the global energy transition and we are ready to take on the challenge.”